(CNN) - As President Obama signed the $787 billion economic stimulus bill, Republicans offered mixed views on whether they believe it will ultimately be effective.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele and House Republican Leader John Boehner both said the measure will fail to create jobs, while Florida Gov. Charlie Crist hailed the effects the bill will have on his state.

“At a time when Florida is facing historic economic challenges mirrored across the country, these federal stimulus dollars will help Florida meet critical needs in education, transportation and Medicaid," Crist said in a statement.

Other Republican governors have not been as supportive of the package, including Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

"We’ll need to look at the federal funding on a case-by-case basis," Palin said in a statement.

And Boehner, who successfully led his party to universally oppose the measure in the House, called it a "raw deal for American families."

“Our nation is in recession, and responsible action is required to help our economy protect and create jobs. This isn’t it," he said.

soundoff(415 Responses)

Obama logic says that California has road and traffic problems the solution is to create a light rail to Las Vegas?

Peoples houses are being forclosed on. Obama logic says create a bill that does nothing to solve this problem then give 30 billion for the wetland mouse.

Obama says no lobbyist in his cabinet then breaks rules and invites lobbyists. Says to the American people. "I'll write a bill and allow the American People to see it for 5 days then vote on it" Lies to the American people and then lets Pelosi and her lobbyists write the bill and then lets the lobbyist read it before the Senators voting on it and the American people get another Obama sponsored website explaing what people voted on but never read.

And before all the Obama sheep start whining about Bush. Never once do I say I supported him so reverse griping about the past is foolish.

The issue rest completely on Obama's words and lies. Enough with moaning about lying politicians of the past. Worry more about our current lying politician who leads us.

February 17, 2009 09:19 pm at 9:19 pm |

Maggie

Would some smart person tells me how it will work if you have to borrow all that money and expect your grandchildren to pay it back? Perhaps your great great grands if we remain a country that long. The land will be here if some qwack don't blow us to kingdom come.

February 17, 2009 09:24 pm at 9:24 pm |

aliou

Who cares what the republican party says? They are irrelevant, obstrucionist and empty, drum beating, greedy bunch.

February 17, 2009 09:24 pm at 9:24 pm |

Maggie

Dylan from MN sing that tune next year and I will believe it.

February 17, 2009 09:25 pm at 9:25 pm |

Sue

Jean2 maybe you should learn to spell. That would be a start

February 17, 2009 09:28 pm at 9:28 pm |

Jay

What a bunch of idiot Goofballs these Repubs have become!!!! And a waste of congress. I think no stimulus money should go to those districts in which their representative voted "NO". And state for that matter!

Palin/Jindel – Its good to see political positioning is still alive and well in the GOPig party.

February 17, 2009 09:28 pm at 9:28 pm |

Larry

The debt load we are taking on will hurt future generations for decades as our currency is diminished against all other currencies of the world, making our country's exports worth far less, while making all imports (including oil and cars) far more expensive for all of us. With Social Security estimated to go negative in 2017, our country is facing bankruptsy.

February 17, 2009 09:29 pm at 9:29 pm |

Lilarose, Bandon, Oregon

Boehner-the-Tantrum-and-Stimulus-Bill-Thrower is speaking for all ObstructiPubs?

Hopefully Boehner will be one of the first to go when he is up for reelection.

These dark-suiters do not love their country when they say an honest attempt to pull us out a recession WILL FAIL.

February 17, 2009 09:40 pm at 9:40 pm |

Sandy

Well the American people got what they voted for: A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WHO NEVER ACCOMPLISHED A THING!!!! He doesn't even understand how the Senate votes because he never spent time there. Remember he never voted for a bill only present. He just signed the largest $$$ bill in history and didn't even read it !!!!!!

February 17, 2009 09:42 pm at 9:42 pm |

Definitely not PC

Great, now the welfare and entitlement population is just going to increase.

It will now be even more difficult for the working taxpayer to make ends meet, since he/she will have to support all the new welfare recipients that are to lazy to work and now, thanks to their president creating an entitlement (dependent on big government) society, won't have to.

February 17, 2009 09:43 pm at 9:43 pm |

Sean

Where can I pick up my check? 1600 ave?

February 17, 2009 09:46 pm at 9:46 pm |

Marc

Do you all know how Einstein defined insanity? 'Do the same thing over and over again, and expect a different result when you do it again.' Well, not exactly on those words but that's the idea.
Tax cuts work? Yeah, but it takes a time (never less than three quarters of an year) and its not exactly the only medicine needed.
So why people, especially some Republican senators insists that TAX CUTS are the only remedy for the Economy...
But the better ones are those who claim that the market, the economy and everything else will, completely by themselves, get back on their trail. That's true, but it has a huge social cost not to mention the economic one, and besides, why would we bother to pay taxes if the government doesn't work to help us have a more secure financial life? I am not saying anything close to 'welfare' here folks, I am saying about confidence in the banks (that they won't crash), 401k and the likes...

February 17, 2009 10:08 pm at 10:08 pm |

Nola

I kinda funny how most of the GOP governors are stating how they are going to refuse the money – even knowing how refusing the funds would effect the lifes of their citizens. They appear not to care if the citizens to live on the streets, children go hungry – while the governors continue their life styles.

February 17, 2009 10:25 pm at 10:25 pm |

neal miller

Republicans in the last administration have done more to limit government than any administration in recent history, that is, limit its effectiveness, viability, readiness, etc. They've halved "Tax and Spend", it became just "Spend!!!". They're new found religion , "Fiscal Conservatism", rings hollow and laughable. Republicans, give us more than a prayer that the democrats will fail.

February 18, 2009 05:05 am at 5:05 am |

nora california

I think those who have suggested that those states where the representatives and senators voted against the package take nothing is a sound idea. These guys are like the characters stuffing their faces on goodies saying " no " but reaching out for more.